2026 Best Value Chemistry Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Chemistry Schools
Our analysis ranked San Diego Miramar College the best value for a degree in chemistry in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #2 place for chemistry. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $17,075. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Oxnard College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in chemistry will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $11,000. Chemistry graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,944 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Irvine Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemistry, landing the #5 spot this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #6 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
California State University Fullerton ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,675 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $45,076. Set against $18,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Golden West College earned the #8 position for value in chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #9 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $5,500. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College landed the #10 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Solano Community College earned the #11 position for value in chemistry this year. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the chemistry program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College landed the #12 spot for chemistry value this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College landed the #13 spot for chemistry value this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #14 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $16,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $40,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Diablo Valley College came in at #15 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Allan Hancock College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Palomar College placed #17 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
El Camino Community College District landed the #18 spot for chemistry value this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
California State University Northridge placed #19 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $16,202. Chemistry graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $44,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #20 for value in chemistry this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $15,680 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,553 early in their careers. Set against $15,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #21 spot for chemistry value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Chemistry graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Chemistry graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $35,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
California State University Fresno earned the #22 position for value in chemistry this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for chemistry graduates is $17,500. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $18,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Channel Islands ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value chemistry schools. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete the chemistry program here. Chemistry graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $46,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University San Marcos earned the #24 position for value in chemistry this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,527 to complete the chemistry program here. Early-career chemistry graduates make about $49,382. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Stanford University placed #25 among the best values for chemistry. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the chemistry program here. Soon after graduation, chemistry degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Chemistry Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for chemistry this year:
Narrow Chemistry Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 184 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Chemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/chemistry/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
